Eating Thanksgiving with the Enemy

One of the things that I do regularly at this stage in my life is read.   While I have read the Bible regularly for years, I take more time to read other books in these days including biographies, history, and the like. Not only do I read books, but I also listen to books in my car as I come and go around the community.   A few weeks ago, I came across an audiobook at our local library titled Mayflower by Nathaniel Phillbrick.  It tells about the pilgrims who journeyed to the shores of this country we now call the United States of America.   I suspect that even persons with the limited knowledge of American history know that there is a connection between the pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving celebration.  

In listening to this book about the pilgrims, I learned some things.  Let me focus on only two learnings.   First, it probably is a myth that the pilgrims first set foot on the shores of this land called the United States by setting foot on Plymouth rock.   According to the book, they set foot on these shores first on Cape Cod near what is modern day Provincetown, Massachusetts.  A second learning from this book for me is that while the Native Americans (or Indians) and the pilgrims set down for a festival of Thanksgiving, their relationship was not always filled with such harmony.   According to the book, the Native Americans were suspicious of the pilgrims and the pilgrims were fearful of the Native Americans.   It was only over the course of time under the leadership of some of their leaders that they transitioned from enemies to friends and neighbors. 

As we approach this Thanksgiving, there are many divisions among us on the political, religious, and social level (not including between friends and within families).     Perhaps we can learn something from our ancestors that will help us transition from enemies of each other to being friends.  While I know not all the details about how the pilgrims and Native Americans moved from enemies to friends and neighbors, I want that to happen in this day and I hope you do also.   Have a joy-filled week. -   Pastor Randy Wall  

Prayer:    All praise and thanksgiving be to you, O God.   You have given us not only yourself in your Son, Christ Jesus, but you also have given us one another.   May the power of your love overcome the barriers and walls between us; through Christ our Lord.  Amen.